Both look like very good amchines to me. The alpha looks to be a bit sturdier (more steel). I have not read much on these foums regarding the 680. but redflea swears by his DC http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=189262. and has nothing but great things to say about alpha customer service (as do plenty of others).

hoodjem, The MP has cone lock clamp bases. The Alpha clamp bases are definetly an upgrade from the MP and when you consider their support and service, I feel the Alpha/NewTech Tennis product to be the best choice.

The Hercules 680 isn't that bad of a machine, granted, I've only had mine less than a month. It is probably not as nice as the Alpha.

I haven't really had any problems with my Hercules 680. I would say that the Alpha is probably worth the extra $100, but that is not to say that the Hercules is not a good machine. I think that you get some extras with the Alpha (strings and grips), but you don't really get anything with the Hercules (2 tools). The extras that you get will soften that $100 price difference a little, I would imagine. I don't really think that you could go wrong either way, they will both pay themselves off relatively quickly.

I haven't really had any problems with my Hercules 680. I would say that the Alpha is probably worth the extra $100, but that is not to say that the Hercules is not a good machine.

QFT. Mr. Young from MP isn't the most understanding person, but he does provide good service and honor his warranties. The Herc 610/680 is solid enough, but I could pick out a number of areas that need improvement. The Alpha's got spring-assisted clamp bases and probably outdoes the Herc terms of both individual parts and overall presentation, but whether it's worth the $100 is up to the individual.

As for tools, the MP starting clamp is alright as well, and goes for a reasonable price. You can supplement the set with plain old wire snips from the hardware store. IIRC that's all that's not included with the tool set.

MP also includes its line of strings, but they're pretty weak. The Precision multifilament is decent.

A bunch of members have helped me here. They didn't have MP machines so I was reaching out to people that do for their Company specific knowledge.

I'm having to subtract 10 lbs. from my reference scale to string what I think to be accurate. My calibrator says that my machine is 4 lbs. heavy and Silent Partner site and other members here says that a constant pull is 6 lbs. heavier than a crank (lockout). Thus I subtract 10 lbs. and it seems like the stringbed tension is correct when I play with it. Do you have this similar experience? Thank you in advance!

A bunch of members have helped me here. They didn't have MP machines so I was reaching out to people that do for their Company specific knowledge.

I'm having to subtract 10 lbs. from my reference scale to string what I think to be accurate. My calibrator says that my machine is 4 lbs. heavy and Silent Partner site and other members here says that a constant pull is 6 lbs. heavier than a crank (lockout). Thus I subtract 10 lbs. and it seems like the stringbed tension is correct when I play with it. Do you have this similar experience? Thank you in advance!

I didn't find anything amiss with the resultant tension on my MP 610 (yes, I have a 610, which is older than the 680...might be a little different). I certainly didn't have any complaints from other people either regarding tension. Sorry to hear that your machine is off - maybe you should speak to Mr. Young about it.